Sunday, February 21, 2010

February 3, 2010 – The World, the first and only private residential community at sea, first set sail in 2002 and has since visited over 250 countries. The vessel’s 2010 itinerary will offer Residents and Guests a year of thrilling journeys and excursions, including ports such as Bali , Egypt , Croatia , Portugal , Greenland , Argentina and the U.S. The World will cap off 2010 with a voyage in Antarctica , the coldest, driest, highest and windiest of the seven continents. Captains and Residents collectively determine the yearly itinerary based on personal interests and the best sea routes. Continuous worldwide journeys with a focus on extended stays, averaging 2.5 days in port, ensure that Residents and Guests have sufficient time to explore their favorite destinations.

When sailing aboard The World, all meals, select alcoholic beverages, gratuities and port charges are included. Guests who take part in the ship’s exceptional rental program are invited to customize their own sails or book planned excursions. A month-by-month breakdown of the itinerary follows:

FEBRUARY

After ringing in 2010 Down Under and sailing throughout Australia for the entire month of January, The World leaves its OZ adventure behind and sets sail to Indonesia . On February 5, the ship will dock at Komodo, a small island recognized by UNESCO as both a World Heritage Site and Biosphere Reserve, known for its diverse marine life and flesh-eating lizards. Travelers will visit three other Flores Sea isles before docking in enchanted Bali to mingle with the native Toraja people, observe the Lambusango Forest ’s renowned flora and fauna and unwind on the pristine beaches of Lombok . On February 19, the ship will set sail for Malaysia , a true melting pot of Asian and European cultures. From traditional stilt houses to modern skyscrapers and fishing villages to luxe island resorts, Malaysia ’s ports will satisfy all interests. After three days in Singapore , The World will travel to historic Melaka and Port Klang, the gateway to the capital of Kuala Lumpur .

MARCH

After some time at Southeast Asia’s first UNESCO Global Geopark, Langkawi Island , the vessel will dock in Phuket for three days. On March 17, The World will begin her Andaman Sea journey, which boasts a schedule full of exotic destinations, such as Myanmar and extraordinary Maldives . Travelers will visit the revered hilltop pagoda, Shwedagon Paya, as Buddhist monks worship as well as observe Bagan’s 4,400 temples on the famed road to Mandalay . Before returning west to the sapphire Maldivian waters, voyagers will stroll the sands of Havelock Island at the Indian outpost of Port Blair. The month ends in the Maldives with the ever-popular Captain’s Choice, a planned – although unannounced – itinerary, highlighting the Captain’s favorite stops.

APRIL

Aromas of teas and spices will fill the air on April 1 as The World approaches Cochin in the southern Indian state of Kerala. After a visit to the region’s Paradesi Synagogue, built in 1568, Residents and Guests will spend a few days onboard, as the ship navigates the Arabian Sea on its way to the Tropic of Cancer. The glittering city of Dubai will await them, offering a chance to indulge in the modern delicacies of this ever-expanding metropolis before leaving for Doha , Qatar . Departing for Safaga, Egypt on April 18, The World will remain at sea for one week, giving travelers ample opportunity to avail of the ship’s exceptional onboard amenities, such as the first Banyan Tree Spa at sea, state-of-the-art golf simulator, exceptional cuisine and of course, unrivaled ocean vistas. April’s last port, Al Aqaba, Jordan, will lure Residents and Guests with its expansive deserts, numinous Byzantine and Crusader history and world-class resorts.

MAY

Traversing the Suez Canal and its assorted lakes, The World will continue its Egyptian journey as it docks in Alexander the Great’s home of Alexandria on May 3. Highlights will include the stunning Bibliotheca Alexandria and the fascinating Catacombs of Kom el Shaqafa. The next two weeks will be spent navigating the azure waters of the Greek Isles and Dalmatian Coast . After surveying the glistening white buildings of Santorini and the rural lifestyle of Apiranthos, the vessel will navigate the Aegean shore. On May 19, The World will visit Kotor; the UNESCO World Heritage site often deemed “the jewel of Montenegro ,” before heading to the cerulean waters of the Croatian Isles. On May 25, Residents and Guests will arrive in Venice , Italy , the reigning queen of the Adriatic .

JUNE

The month of June will be filled with warm sun, authentic Mediterranean cuisine and award-winning wines, as The World visits the rural and metropolitan ports of Italy , France and Spain . The ship will begin in Siracusa on June 4, a destination known for its magnificent Greco-Roman ruins and fresh,

local produce and seafood. After a two-day Captain’s Choice, travelers will arrive in Rome to explore its famed architecture, masterful cuisine and trend-setting fashion culture. After stopping in romantic Portofino , The World will spend the next week in France , making stops in Nice, Antibes and Collioure, to visit historic landmarks such as the Hôtel du Cap-Eden Roc. On June 22, The World will arrive in Spain to visit destinations including Barcelona , Minorca, Alicante and an additional Captain’s Choice.

JULY

The World will arrive in Portugal on July 5, after docking in remaining Spanish ports, Marbella and Cadiz . Residents and Guests will be invited to roam the winding alleyways of Lisbon before departing for the Basque port of Hendaye . Those with a fondness for the grape will eagerly await The World’s next destination – a three-night stay in Bordeaux . Travelers can explore the region’s rolling hills, abundant wineries and UNESCO World Heritage site, Old Bordeaux. Further up the coast lies La Rochelle , one of the last cities in France to be freed during WWII and Belle-lle , Brittany ’s largest island. Tying up in Southampton , England on July 26, The World will spend some time in the region’s renowned, pastoral South West. Recognized for its rich literary history and lush greenery, Dartmouth and Fowey are home to the Britannia Royal Naval College and the Eden Project, the world’s largest green house.

AUGUSTThe month of August is dedicated to the United Kingdom and Ireland , affording Residents and Guests the chance to explore English, Irish, Scottish and Welsh cities and countryside. After spending time at the annual Cardiff Festival and exploring the castles and bike trails of Wales , travelers will cross St. George’s Channel into the Irish Sea en route to Ireland ’s dynamic capital of Dublin . Time in the city’s animated pubs will conjure tales of its rich literary past before departing for Douglas on the Isle of Man , noted for its tail-less felines, prehistoric settlements and antique trains. The ship will dock in Liverpool on August 16, providing Residents and Guests four days to experience the UNESCO-recognized sites and vibrant art scene. Final stops will include Glasgow and Oban. The ship will depart Scotland on August 25 and end the month in the Faroe Islands and Iceland ’s capital city of Reykjavik .

SEPTEMBERThose will a love for nature and history will enjoy September aboard The World, as it travels to Greenland and the Labrador Sea . The Greenland Expedition, from September 3 to 14, will present an once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to explore the globe’s largest island, its rich Nordic and Paleo-Eskimo history, abundant wildlife and stunning scenery. The “birthplace of the icebergs,” Greenland is teeming with whales, seals, walruses, polar bears, reindeer and more. The ship will visit sites only accessible by small boat, such as the capital city of Nuuk . Travelers will dock in

cosmopolitan Quebec City on September 21 and French Canada’s largest city of Montreal on September 24, where unexpected sights include the extensive Underground City and surfers catching waves below the Habitat 67 housing complex. September will end in Nova Scotia ’s capital, Halifax , recognized for its rich maritime heritage.

OCTOBER

The World will arrive in Boston , Massachusetts on October 3, marking the vessel’s first visit to the U.S. in over a year. After walking the Freedom Trail or watching a Red Sox game in Fenway Park , Residents and Guests will depart for Newport , Rhode Island , one of New England ’s great coastal cities. A stint in New York City will follow – certainly an autumn destination not to be missed – providing ample opportunity to stroll through Central Park or catch a Broadway show. Undoubtedly in need of warm sun and pink sands, travelers will depart for Bermuda on October 13 to visit Hamilton and St. George’s , before returning to the U.S. on October 21. Residents and Guests will continue their journey along the Eastern Seaboard, to dock in Baltimore , Maryland ; Charleston , South Carolina ; and Savannah , Georgia – all incredibly historic, modern-day culinary destinations in their own right. The month will end with higher temperatures in Port Canaveral, Florida , gateway to the Kennedy Space Center and Orlando .

NOVEMBER

The World begins the month in the Bahamian paradise of Nassau , the first of its seven sunny November ports. After a well-deserved week of onboard relaxation in Fort Lauderdale and at sea, the ship will arrive in the second-oldest city in America , San Juan , Puerto Rico . Once completely enclosed by massive walls, the town center boasts charming cobblestone streets, well-preserved Colonial buildings, cozy cafes and vibrant boutiques. The Caribbean holiday will continue on the small, exclusive island of St. Barthelemy , where mega-yachts fill the harbor and bistros and galleries fill the shore. On November 15, The World will dock in Bridgetown , affectionately known as “Little England.” Although complete with its own Trafalgar Square , cricket matches and afternoon tea, Residents and Guests will not be fooled when they look down, to the illustrious pink sand at their feet. Soon crossing the equator, travelers will find themselves in Brazil , where the remainder of November will be spent in ports that embody the region’s unmistakable African influence – Belém, Salvador and Búzios.

DECEMBER2010 will come to an end with an array of exciting holiday destinations. The Brazilian adventure will continue as the vessel ventures to the modern metropolis of Rio de Janeiro and Costa Verde, a cobblestoned, car-free zone with churches and homes of centuries past. Further down the coast lies Punta del Este, Uraguay’s version of Cannes . On December 13, after spending time in the southernmost capital of South America, Montevideo , the ship will depart for Argentina . From Buenos Aires to the coast of Patagonia , Residents and Guests will trace the route of Charles Darwin on the Beagle Channel. Those in search of a winter wonderland will want to stay onboard from December 25 to 30 for the year’s final Expedition to Antarctica . The only continent with no indigenous population, Antarctica ’s existence remained theoretical for centuries, despite numerous attempts at discovery. Penguins and seals will float alongside The World on sculpted icebergs as vacationers access the land via kayaks and Zodiacs.

In 2011, The World will visit another collection of exciting destinations, including Chile , Peru , Ecuador , Panama , Barbados , Nevis , Portugal , Sweden , Russia , Portugal , Monaco , Madagascar , South Africa and more. For more information on The World and a complete port-by-port itinerary for 2010 and beyond, please visit www.aboardtheworld.com.

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NOTE:

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